2 plead guilty to filing fraudulent tax returns

10:22 PM, Feb 19, 2014

Two sisters have pleaded guilty to filing fraudulent tax returns to obtain refunds.

Twenty-six-year-old Jasmine L. Thomas of Baltimore and 24-year-old Kiara Skipwith of Parkville entered the pleas Wednesday in federal court. Each faces face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison at sentencing in May.

According to their plea agreements, Skipwith, Thomas and their mother, Tonia Lawson, recruited people who did not owe taxes.

Prosecutors say the three convinced the recruited individuals that they could get refunds. Authorities say the women used the individuals' identifying information to file fake returns.

Prosecutors say the scheme cost the U.S. more than $289,000.

Lawson has pleaded guilty in the scheme and will be sentenced March 27.

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